View full sizeMichael Wayland | MLive.comChrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne speaks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and other officials during a tour of the automaker's Jefferson North Assembly plant in Detroit.

“There’s not a single doubt in my mind that once we manage to repay the U.S. and Canadian governments that the perception of our brands … is going to improve,” said Marchionne, after a tour of Chrysler’s Jefferson North Assembly plant with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and other officials.

Earlier today, the Auburn Hills automaker released its plans take out bank loans and sell bonds to repay $7.5 billion in bailout money from the U.S. and Canadian governments later this year.

Marchionne toured the plant with Geithner, UAW President Bob King, U.S. Reps John Dingell and Hansen
Clarke, plant manager Pat Walsh and UAW Local 7 President Cynthia
Holland.

Marchionne — standing in front of two of Chrysler’s most popular vehicles, a Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee — said he is pleased with the company’s work over the last two years, “but there is still a lot of work to be done.”

During Marchionne's address to the media, he touted the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is sold in
120 countries, as a key success for the company.

How impressed Marchionne is with Chrysler should be revealed Monday when the automaker releases first-quarter earnings.

Geithner, who was deeply involved in negotiations that led to billions of dollars
in government loans being given to General Motors and Chrysler, came to the plant to talk with political, business and community leaders.

He's expected to speak at a Detroit Economic Club meeting at 4 p.m. in Detroit.